Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s becoming the seventh member of the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) marked a strategic decision and paved the wayfor the country’s regional and international integration, which has also beenseen as a milestone in the grouping’s development.

Theremarks were made by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs PhamBinh Minh at a reception celebrating the ASEAN’s 53rd foundinganniversary and Vietnam’s 25-year ASEAN membership in Hanoi on July 28.

Hesaid the 25-year membership in ASEAN has brought about pragmatic benefits toVietnam, while Vietnam has also made major contributions to the ASEAN’sdevelopment and success during the period.

Vietnamhas always considered the ASEAN a common house where it has joined hands withother member countries in building a strong ASEAN Community, for prosperity ofeach nation, as well as for peace, stability and cooperation in the region andthe world at large, he stressed.

Minhsaid the grouping’s existence, development, solidarity and centrality arefactors that have brought peace, stability and prosperity in Southeast Asia.

TheASEAN has promoted multilateralism and trade liberalisation, and formed coremechanisms for economic and security structures in Asia-Pacific, thus helpingto expand its partnership and cooperation with countries and organiations inthe world, he continued.

AsASEAN Chair in 2020, Vietnam has carried forward the community-based mindsetand actions to closely coordinate with other member countries in coping withthe COVID-19 pandemic in a flexible manner and ensuring normal activities ofthe bloc as well as the implementation of priorities and initiatives.

TheASEAN is working hard to materialise short, mid and long-term plans such as settingup the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund and warehouses of medical supplies, compilingstandard pandemic response procedures, and completing plans for comprehensive recoverypost COVID-19, among others.

Thebloc has also taken the initiative in anticipating and seizing the benefits ofthe Fourth Industrial Revolution by joining new-technology sectors, developinga network of smart cities, and improving human resources quality.

Theseachievements have demonstrated a cohesive and responsive ASEAN, Minh said.

Theofficial also highlighted the support and cooperation of partners, countriesand organisations worldwide with the grouping, saying Vietnam has received thewhole-hearted support of other ASEAN member countries and international friendswhile performing its ASEAN Chairmanship./.